president obama here at home has ordered flags at the white house to be lowered in tribute. nelson mandela could have been bitter after spending 27 years in prison among the worst conditions imaginable. instead of revenge, when he was released he sought reconciliation. he became south africa's first democratically elected and first black president and forge ad legacy of forgiveness and unit. bill: we learned moments ago, mandela's national funeral will take place december 15th, nine days from now. greg palkot leading coverage. greg, you were in south africa six months ago. how are people reacting there? >> reporter: that's right, bill. we were outside the pretoria hospital whereenelson mandela laid gravely ill couple months ago. we saw the outpouring. the scenes we're looking at now from south africa is just the beginning. it will continue. crowds are gathering outside of the johannesburg house where mandela spent last troubling weeks and months. they're marking the passing of the person they can the father of their country. they're mourning and also celebrating the man. his